Lions @ Dolphins
Final Score: Lions 19, Dolphins 9
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp)
Three Up
- Amon-Ra St.Brown — The veteran receiver had a nice bounce-back performance after his disappointing yardage total a week ago. St. Brown was the driving force behind a Lions offense that struggled to find consistency throughout the game.
- Jahmyr Gibbs — There weren’t many bright spots in this game, but Gibbs controlled the majority of the backfield touches while scoring the Lions’ only touchdown of the game.
- Caleb Douglas — Another bounce-back performance for the rookie receiver, who dominated the Lions’ secondary by consistently finding ways to get open and making himself available for Malik Willis all over the field.
Three Down
- Malik Willis — The pressure was too much for Willis in this game, as he was constantly forced to rush his throws and struggled to find a rhythm. He was also sacked three times.
- Jameson Williams — After being on fire over the last month, Williams had a disappointing outing with just one reception, bringing his recent stretch of strong production to a halt.
- Jared Goff — Goff delivered his worst performance of the season, throwing an interception for the 2nd consecutive game while failing to record a passing touchdown in what appeared to be a favorable matchup.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: 17/25, 170 Yards, INT | 4 Carries, 5 Yards
The veteran quarterback didn’t have a great outing against the Dolphins. Goff focused on getting the ball out as quickly as possible, as he faced consistent pressure from Miami’s defensive front throughout the game. He appeared most comfortable throwing over the middle of the field to his top receivers, where he found the most success. His interception came in the 1st quarter on a slightly deflected pass. Despite being tied at halftime, the Lions continued to focus on controlling the clock rather than taking big shots downfield for the majority of the game. Goff wasn’t asked to do much more, which ultimately limited his fantasy production. Overall, it was a disappointing performance for Goff, but the game script didn’t require him to carry the offense.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: 20 Carries, 74 Yards, TD | 1 Target
The star running back controlled the Lions’ backfield for the majority of the game, with backup Sione Vaki not recording a touch until the fourth quarter. Gibbs struggled to find running room at times, as Detroit’s offensive line failed to create consistent holes. He frequently ran into a wall of defenders at the line of scrimmage, which contributed to his low yards per carry. However, Gibbs still managed a few impressive runs, including a 16-yard gain early in the 1st quarter. His touchdown came late in the third quarter on a short run where he bounced outside and walked into the end zone. Gibbs didn’t record a reception but did see 1 inaccurate target. I wouldn’t be concerned about his lack of receiving production, as this was a largely noncompetitive game that didn’t require Detroit to rely heavily on its passing attack.
Sione Vaki: 3 Carries, 14 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 7 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 10 Targets, 8 Receptions, 86 Yards
The veteran receiver bounced back in a big way this week after his 46-yard performance last week. St. Brown was the bright spot in the Lions’ offense, consistently finding open space and beating defenders to get open over the middle of the field. His best catch came in the third quarter on a 17-yard reception over the middle despite having a defender draped all over him. He also turned a wide receiver screen into a 17-yard gain that helped set up a scoring drive. Overall, it was an excellent bounce-back performance for St. Brown.
Sam LaPorta: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 32 Yards
LaPorta delivered an average performance, but it could have been much worse considering how his day unfolded. LaPorta recorded an early reception in the 1st quarter but didn’t see another target until the fourth quarter. He managed to salvage his performance with a few short underneath catches late in the game. Overall, it was a down game for the Lions’ passing offense, and LaPorta suffered from the lack of consistent opportunities throughout the contest.
Jameson Williams: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 31 Yards | 1 Carry, 9 Yards
Williams has been on fire lately, but he had a relatively quiet outing in this game. However, his lone reception was anything but quiet, as he found open space against zone coverage in the third quarter for a 31-yard gain. His other target came on a slightly high, floating pass from Goff that could have resulted in an additional 15 yards, but Williams was unable to come down with the difficult catch. He also had a 9-yard reception wiped out by a penalty.
Tay Martin: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards
DeAndre Carter: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
Isaac TeSlaa: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Tyler Conklin: 1 Target
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Malik Willis: 13/25, 128 Yards INT | 2 carries, 7 Yards
Willis had a rough outing against the Lions. Detroit consistently pressured Willis throughout the game, which significantly affected his performance. He was sacked three times and frequently found himself scrambling in the backfield or being forced to throw the ball away. Many of his passes appeared rushed due to the constant pressure. Willis did connect on a 50-yard bomb, but the play was called back because of a penalty. His interception was another poor decision, as he forced a throw into double coverage. It’s also becoming clear that Willis’ groin injury is limiting his rushing upside, as he struggled to utilize his mobility and make plays with his legs. Overall, it was a disappointing performance for Willis, who never seemed comfortable against Detroit’s aggressive defense.
Running Back
Ollie Gordon II: 16 Carries, 55 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Gordon had a decent outing against a strong Lions run defense. Gordon did everything he could to generate production, using his physical running style to pick up several gains of 6 to 9 yards throughout the game. However, Detroit’s defense did an excellent job of preventing any explosive runs. Gordon’s touches declined as the game progressed, with Miami falling further behind and being forced to abandon the running game. His lone reception came in the third quarter on a catch in open space. He also had an earlier reception wiped out by a penalty.
Kaytron Allen: 1 Carry, -1 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 46 Yards
Allen saw additional opportunities with Jaylen Wright out of the lineup. His lone reception came on a fake punt that left Allen wide open in the middle of the field.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Greg Dulcich: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards
Dulcich didn’t make much of an impact in this game. His best play came late in the second half on an 11-yard catch and run that resulted in a first down. Unfortunately, Willis struggled to connect with Dulcich for most of the game, with several inaccurate throws limiting his opportunities.
Caleb Douglas: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 70 Yards
Douglas was fantastic in this game, showcasing his ability to make plays all over the field. Whether it was making catches downfield, turning short receptions into big gains, or breaking tackles to pick up extra yards, Douglas did it all. One of his most impressive plays came on a 20-yard reception when he had to elevate to secure the football, preventing what could have been an interception. The Lions’ defense had no answer for Douglas, who continues to impress and establish himself as a reliable playmaker in this Miami offense.
Malik Washington: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards | 1 Carry
Washington should have had a better game, especially considering the favorable matchup against the Lions’ defensive scheme. Unfortunately, Washington didn’t see many opportunities, as Willis rarely had enough time in the pocket to let his receivers get open. Washington’s best play came on a 14-yard reception over the middle on a slant route in the red zone. Hopefully, better days are ahead for Washington.
Chris Bell: 1 Target
Kevin Coleman Jr.: 1 Carry, 16 Yards
Carlos Washington Jr.: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Will Kacmarek: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards